Game apparatus with rotating striker means

ABSTRACT

Toy apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes comprises a turntable upon which are pivotally mounted a striking element in the form of a pair of arms and a ball held in the arms. A spring mounted in the turntable and coupled to the striking element exerts force upon the striking element tending to pivot the striking element away from the surface of the turntable, into an open position. The striking element is mounted upon the turntable so that rotation of the turntable exerts centrifugal force upon the striking element tending to urge the striking element in the direction of a closed position at the surface of the turntable. When the velocity of rotation of the turntable decreases below a selected quantity, the force exerted by the spring overcomes the centrifugal force of rotation and pivots the striking element in an impact stroke away from the surface of the turntable. Targets in the form of human figures are positionable around the turntable within range of the stroke of the striking element so that they may be struck by the moving striking element and particularly the ball in the arms thereof. A follower element in the form of a face may be coupled to the spring and disposed between the striking element and the turntable in the closed position. A stop connected to the turntable halts the motion of the follower element at a selected point of an impact stroke while permitting the striking element to continue in motion and complete the stroke. Alternatively, the striking element and follower element may be coupled so that the follower element will follow the motion of the striking element at a selected lag interval. The apparatus may be used as an element in a method of playing a game for children in which players are assigned angular areas, such as quadrants, related to turntable, and in which the object is to avoid having a figure in the area in which the apparatus comes to rest in the open position. Avoidance of permitting a figure to be struck by the striking element may be an alternative object. Surprise and tension are maintained when a player is penalized for removing his figures from their assigned area, in erroneous anticipation of the unwanted incursion of the striking element into the area. Alternatively, a game may include the object of striking figures arranged in range of the impact stroke. Excitement is heightened by abrupt and quick action of the striking element and rapid stopping of the turntable after completion of an impact stroke.

United States Patent [191 Goldfarb et al.

[ Feb. 18, 1975 GAME APPARATUS WITH ROTATING STRIKER MEANS [75] Inventors: AdolphE. Goldfarb, 4614 Monarca Dr., Tarzana, Calif. 91356; George C. Strader; Judy D. Strader, both of Paso Robles, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Adolph E. Goldbarb, Tarzana, Calif;

by said Strader and Strader [22] Filed: Feb. 21, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 334,442

[52] US. Cl. 273/1 R, 273/95 A [51] Int. Cl. A63f 9/00 [58] Field of Search 273/1 R, l E, l M, 129 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,445,11Q 5/1969 Rigert 273/1 E Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert M. Ashen [57] ABSTRACT Toy apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes comprises a turntable upon which are pivotally mounted a striking element in the form of a pair of arms and a ball held in the arms. A spring mounted in the turntable and coupled to the striking element exerts force upon the striking element tending to pivot the striking element away from the surface of the turntable, into an open position. The striking element is mounted upon the turntable so thatrotation of the turntable exerts centrifugal force upon the striking e1- ement tending to urge the striking element in the direction of a closed position at the surface of the turntable. When the velocity of rotation of the turntable decreases below a selected quantity, the force exerted by the spring overcomes the centrifugal force of rotation and pivots the striking element in an impact stroke away from the surface of the turntable. Targets in the form of human figures are positionable around the turntable within range of the stroke of the striking element so that they may be struck by the moving striking element and particularly the ball in the arms thereof. A follower element in the form of a face may be coupled to the spring and disposed between the striking element and the turntable in the closed position. A stop connected to the turntable halts the mo-v tion of the follower element at a selected point of an impact stroke while permitting the striking element to continue in motion and complete the stroke. Alternatively, the striking element and follower element may be coupled so that the follower element will follow the motion of the striking element at a selected lag interval.

The apparatus may be used as an element in a method of playing a game for children in which players are assigned angular areas, such as quadrants, related to turntable, and in which the object is to avoid having a figure in the area in which the apparatus comes to rest in the open position. Avoidance of permitting a figure to be struck by the striking element may be an alternative object. Surprise and tension are maintained when a player is penalized for removing his figures from their assigned area, in

erroneous anticipation of the unwanted incursion of the striking element into the area. Alternatively, a game may include the object of striking figures arranged in range of the impact stroke. Excitement is heightened by abrupt and quick action of the striking element and rapid stopping of the turntable after completion of an impact stroke.

19 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures GAME APPARATUS WITH ROTATING STRIKER MEANS The invention relates to apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes, as well as methods related thereto.

Toys and games incorporating targets and means for striking the targets, such as shooting galleries, have always been popular. Particularly popular are games and toys in which a player manipulates means for striking targets and another player manipulates the targets, success in the games being based on success in achieving the respective objectives. Many such toys have utilized animal or human figures, as targets, and projectileissuing devices, often in the form of guns or other military apparatus In recent years, there has been a reaction in society generally and in the toy industry against such toys on the grounds of their psychological implications and on the basis of safety considerations. Children, however, continue to enjoy playing with toys which involve targets and means for striking the targets. Many existing toys of this type have exhibited inadequacies of various types. For example, some have excessively complex mechanisms which are subject to damage through the hard use given them by children. Others utilize projectiles which presentsafety problems. Possibly the most common problem is that the toys do not relate to life situations which the children understand and to which they can relate. War toys, for example, present such contexts.

Therefore, there has been a recognized but unfulfilled need for safe, durable apparatus incorporating targets and means'for striking thetargets, which presents a psychologically healthful context to which children can relate.

The invention relates to apparatus and methods for producing variably directed impact strokes and impacts. In one form, such apparatus comprises a mov able member and striking means, including impact means coupled to the movable member. Force is exerted upon the striking means by the-movable member in a degree related to the velocity of motion of the movable member, which is preferably rotatable to exert centrifugal force upon the striking means.

lmpelling means, which may be in the form of spring means, coupled to the impact means, exerts counterforce to the force exerted by the movable member. When the velocity of the movable member reaches a certain level, the force of the impelling means overcomes the force exerted by the movable means, and the striking means is impelled in an impact stroke toward target means positionable arbitrarily about the movable member. The striking means may be configured in the form of arms andimpact means held by the arms, and the targets may be configured in the form of human figures.

Follower means, which may be configured in the form ofa face, may be coupled to the impelling means to move together with the striking means in an impact stroke. Stop means may be provided to halt motion of the follower means at a selected point of an impact stroke while leaving motion of the striking means unaffected. Alternatively, means may be provided to couple the follower means to the striking means so that the follower means move in conjunction with the striking means at aselected lag angle thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 comprises a perspective view of a toy appara tus producing variably directed impact strokes in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 comprises a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 comprises an elevation view, partly broken away, of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 comprises a perspective view of a follower element in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 comprises an exploded fragmentary view of apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 comprises a fragmentary view of apparatus in accordance with the invention, in a closed position; and

FIG. 7 depicts the apparatus of FIG. 5 in an open position..

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. l-3, a presently preferred apparatus 10 for producing variably directed impact strokes comprises a movable member in the form of a turntable l2 rotatably mounted on mounting means 13 attached to a base 14. Coupling between the turntable l2 and the mounting means 13 may be, as depicted, via a spindle peg 15, supported upon a thrust washer 15 and engaging a mounting member 15" of the turntable 12. The base 14 may be configured, as depicted, for stably contacting a planar surface so that the apparatus may be placed on a table top.

Movably mounted upoon the movable member 12, is a striking element 16 which includes impact means 17. As depicted, the striking element 16 may be configured to resemble a pair of arms 18 and the impact means 17 may be configured in the. form-of a ball 20 positioned to appear to be held by the arms 18. Such configurations provide a useful and familiar context, that ofball throwing, for use'of the invention.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6, striking element 16 is movable to assume at least two positions: a first, closed, or restrained position; and a second, open,or

released position (shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and.

3 and in solid lines in .FIG. 7).

Target means 22 are arbitrarily positionable to be strikable by impact means 17 in its motion, described in detail below, between the open and closed positions. The targets 22 are preferably, as depicted, in a form of human figures to provide a further familiar context for use of the invention, namely children playing a form of dodgeball, a game in which a person having control of a ball throws the ball at one or more of the members of a group of players standing within the game area, in an attempt to strike them with the ball.

Striking element 16 includes mounting means in the fonn of pivot means or pins'24 disposed adjoining the base of the element 16. The pins 24 are pivotably engagable with mounting means in the form of a pair of cars 25 disposed in a recess 26 defined by the surface of the turntable 12.

A follower element 27 which, as depicted in FIG. 4,

' 'may be configured in the form of a face, maybe utilized in accordance with the invention. The follower element 27 is attached by conventional means, shown here as rivet means 28, to a hinge head 30. Integral with the hinge head 30 and disposed at the base thereof is a pair of hinge means 32 which define a pair of hinge slots 34. A tab member 35, affixed to the base of the hinge head 30, defines an eye 35 for connection to impelling means, as described fully below. Hinge head 30 is cou- 'pled to the pins 24 via the slot pair 34 in the hinge means 32. Thus, when the apparatus is assembled, the member 27 is disposed between the hinge head 30 and the striking'element 16. A slot 35" is defined at the base of the striking element 16 to accommodate the tab 35 during operation of the apparatus 10 as described fully below. The elements of the apparatus 10 may be fabricated of plastic or other suitable material.

Recess 26 comprises a wall surface 38 for accommodating the motion of hinge means 32. Within the slot 36 is disposed stop means 40 positioned to engage hinge means 32-during motion thereof upon the contact surface 38.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the surface 38 of recess 26 defines a slot 41 for accommodating impelling means 42 the follower element 27 to maintain a selected angle between the elements 16, 27 after the striking element has reached that angle relative to the follower element. In this arrangement, once the angular arrangement is reached the elements may remain at the selected angle during the rest of the impact stroke.

in the form ofa spring 44, mounted at the underside of I the turntable 12 at a bracket member 46. The other end of spring 44 is attached to tab 35 by hooking thereto through eye 35'. Other configurations of impelling means and means for mounting such means may be employed in 'systemsin accordance with the invention. A torsion spring, for example, may be mounted on the pins 24 and its torque arm may be disposed to lie against the hinge head 30. For enhanced play value as describedbelow, the spring 44 is preferably such as to produce an abrupt and quick impact stroke.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, centrifugal force arising from rotation of the turn table 12 at a level is exerted upon the striking element 16, the follower element 27, and the hinge head30. At the closed position,

In a high play-value method of operation of the apparatus 10 as an element of a game or recreational activity, hinge head 30, the follower 27, and striking element 16 are manually urged into the closed position. Concurrently, the turntable 12 is set in rotating motion. In a game in which the object of the players is to avoid permitting their figures either to be struck by the striking means 16 or to be present in the players assigned areas if the striking element 16 reaches the open position there, the players attempt to withdraw their'figures in anticipation of the impact stroke as the rotation of turntable l2 begins to slow noticeably. Penalties for withdrawing figures from other areas than that in which the impact stroke is completed add suspense and tension to the game. The suspense is heightened if, as is preferable, the impact stroke is sudden and quick. The game is facilitated if the apparatus 10 is structured so that the turntable 12 comes rapidly to rest after completion of the impact stroke. Under these conditions, the objectv of the game may be to avoid leaving ones figure in an area in which the turntable 12 comes to rest after the impact stroke, and argument is avoided regarding in which area the impact stroke was completed.

Thus, opportunities for enjoyable and interesting play are afforded by apparatus in accordance with the invention. The players who control the figures 22 will the spring 44 is under tension and exerts force upon the hinge head 30, but centrifugal force due to rotation of the turntable 12 is greater than the spring force; consequently, the closed position is maintained as long as the angular velocity of the turntable exceeds a critical velocity, that is, a velocity at which the centrifugal forceis equal to the spring force. As angular velocity of the turntable l2- diminishes, due to friction, and falls below the critical velocity, the force of the spring 44 impels the hinge head 30, striking element 16 and follower element 27 to pivot away from the surface of the turntable 12. When hinge means 32 strike stop 40, the motion of the hinge means is stopped,therebyhaltingthe hinge head 30 and the follower element 27. The striking element 16, which is not stopped, continues in motion in an impact stroke to reach the open position and to strike any target 22 in its path. The slot accommodates tab 35 permitting unobstructed flight of the element 16. As described below, for heightened play value, the critical velocity is preferably such that the turntable comes to rest quickly after the critical velocity is reached.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7. in the released or open position, the striking element 16 is substantially parallel to the surface of the members 12, having traversed an angle of approximately 180, while the follower eleattempt to outmaneuver the striking element 16 which moves very rapidly and with timing which is unpredictable, particularly with regard to childrens perceptions. Realism and a realistic context are lent by the configuration of the striking element 16 into the form of arms holding a ball and the follower element 27 into the form ofa face, which gives an' imaginative child a fanciful impression that a ball has been hurled by a person.

Though specific embodiments have been described above, the invention is not limited thereby, but is defined only'by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. Apparatusfor producing variably directed impact strokes comprising:

a rotatable member having a top surface and having an axis of rotation;

a striking element pivotally coupled to the rotatable member and having an axis of pivoting at an angle of substantially with respect to said first mentioned axis of rotation, the striking element being positioned so that centrifugal force is exerted thereupon due to rotation of the rotatable member to dispose the striking element in a set position adjacent said top surface of said rotatable member;

' and impelling means coupled to the striking element to exert force upon the striking element in a substantially opposite direction to the centrifugal force, to pivot said striking element through approximately to a striking position spaced from said set position upon substantial reduction of rotation of said rotatable member.

' 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 further including target means positionable to be struck by the striking element.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein the target means are configured in the shape of fanciful figures.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the striking element is configured in the shape of a pair of 5 arms.

5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable member comprises a turntable, and further including a base member having mounting means, the turntable being rotatablymountable in the mounting means of the base member.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the base member includes support elements engagable with a planar surface.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the impelling means comprises spring means acting between the turntable and the striking element.

8. Apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes comprising:

a rotatable member;

a striking element movably coupled to the rotatable member and positioned so that centrifugal force is exerted thereupon due to rotation of the rotatable member;

impelling means coupled to the striking element to exert force upon the striking element in a substantially opposite direction to the centrifugal force; and

a follower member movably coupled to the rotating member and coupled to the impelling means to be movable with the striking element. 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the follower member is configured in the shape of a face. 10. A non-projectile toy including targets and means for striking the targets comprising:

a plurality of arbitrarily positionable target means; movable means, the movable means being rotatable; striking means coupled to the movable means for generating impact strokes when the velocity of the moving means reaches a selected level, the striking means including impact means; impelling means coupled to the striking means to urge the impact means away from the movable means, the impact means being coupled to the movable means to be movable toward the movable means under the influence of centrifugal force due to rotation of the movable means; and follower means coupled to the impact means to follow motion of the impact means.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein the movable means comprises a turntable having an upper surface, the surface defining a recess, and further including coupling means disposed in the recess for pivotably coupling to the striking means.

12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 further in cluding hinge head means attached to the follower member and hinge means attached to the hinge head means, and wherein the striking means includes mounting means fittable to the hinge means and to the coupling means.

13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the recess includes a surface, the hinge means being configured to be movable along the surface, and further including stop means disposed on the contact surface to stop motion of the hinge means.

14. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the recess defines a slot, and wherein the impelling means comprises spring means coupled to the striking element and to the underside of the movable member and passing through the slot in the recess.

15. The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein the impelling means comprises torsion means mountable upon the mounting means of the striking element.

16. The invention as set forth in claim 10 further including means engagable with the striking means and the follower means to dispose the striking means and the follower means at a selected angle with respect to each other.

17. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of:

- a. disposing target means in selected angular areas along the path of a striking element;

b. imparting rotation at an angular velocity exceeding a selected level to a retractable striking element tending to assume a striking position except when retracted;

c. removing figures from the. areas to prevent the striking element from assuming a striking position in the areas when the figures are present therein.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein step (a) comprises disposing the figures within striking range of the striking element. v

19. The invention as set forth in claim 17 comprising the further step of holding the striking element in the retracted position priorto and concurrently with imparting rotation in accordance with step (b). 

1. Apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes comprising: a rotatable member having a top surface and having an axis of rotation; a striking element pivotally coupled to the rotatable member and having an axis of pivoting at an angle of substantially 90* with respect to said first mentioned axis of rotation, the striking element being positioned so that centrifugal force is exerted thereupon due to rotation of the rotatable member to dispose the striking element in a set position adjacent said top surface of said rotatable member; and impElling means coupled to the striking element to exert force upon the striking element in a substantially opposite direction to the centrifugal force, to pivot said striking element through approximately 180* to a striking position spaced from said set position upon substantial reduction of rotation of said rotatable member.
 2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 further including target means positionable to be struck by the striking element.
 3. The invention as set forth in claim 2 wherein the target means are configured in the shape of fanciful figures.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the striking element is configured in the shape of a pair of arms.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rotatable member comprises a turntable, and further including a base member having mounting means, the turntable being rotatably mountable in the mounting means of the base member.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the base member includes support elements engagable with a planar surface.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the impelling means comprises spring means acting between the turntable and the striking element.
 8. Apparatus for producing variably directed impact strokes comprising: a rotatable member; a striking element movably coupled to the rotatable member and positioned so that centrifugal force is exerted thereupon due to rotation of the rotatable member; impelling means coupled to the striking element to exert force upon the striking element in a substantially opposite direction to the centrifugal force; and a follower member movably coupled to the rotating member and coupled to the impelling means to be movable with the striking element.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the follower member is configured in the shape of a face.
 10. A non-projectile toy including targets and means for striking the targets comprising: a plurality of arbitrarily positionable target means; movable means, the movable means being rotatable; striking means coupled to the movable means for generating impact strokes when the velocity of the moving means reaches a selected level, the striking means including impact means; impelling means coupled to the striking means to urge the impact means away from the movable means, the impact means being coupled to the movable means to be movable toward the movable means under the influence of centrifugal force due to rotation of the movable means; and follower means coupled to the impact means to follow motion of the impact means.
 11. The invention as set forth in claim 10 wherein the movable means comprises a turntable having an upper surface, the surface defining a recess, and further including coupling means disposed in the recess for pivotably coupling to the striking means.
 12. The invention as set forth in claim 11 further including hinge head means attached to the follower member and hinge means attached to the hinge head means, and wherein the striking means includes mounting means fittable to the hinge means and to the coupling means.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the recess includes a surface, the hinge means being configured to be movable along the surface, and further including stop means disposed on the contact surface to stop motion of the hinge means.
 14. The invention as set forth in claim 12 wherein the recess defines a slot, and wherein the impelling means comprises spring means coupled to the striking element and to the underside of the movable member and passing through the slot in the recess.
 15. The invention as set forth in claim 12, wherein the impelling means comprises torsion means mountable upon the mounting means of the striking element.
 16. The invention as set forth in claim 10 further including means engagable with the striking means and the follower means to dispose the striking means and the followeR means at a selected angle with respect to each other.
 17. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of: a. disposing target means in selected angular areas along the path of a striking element; b. imparting rotation at an angular velocity exceeding a selected level to a retractable striking element tending to assume a striking position except when retracted; c. removing figures from the areas to prevent the striking element from assuming a striking position in the areas when the figures are present therein.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein step (a) comprises disposing the figures within striking range of the striking element.
 19. The invention as set forth in claim 17 comprising the further step of holding the striking element in the retracted position prior to and concurrently with imparting rotation in accordance with step (b). 